Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák addresses current security issues in Brussels

In a statement to the EU Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) of 19 November 2024 on the conflict in Ukraine and the related possible authorisations by European Allies of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to fire long-range missiles into Russia, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kaliňák clearly set out Slovakia's official position. Accordingly, such a move following the example of the outgoing US administration would lead to a dramatic escalation of tensions and the SVK Ministry of Defence will take no such action. “Peace must always come first, especially the issue of EU and NATO countries having no direct involvement in this conflict,” Minister Kaliňák said. He went on to underline the need to negotiate a ceasefire and return to diplomatic negotiations.

Among the issues on the agenda for today’s discussion was boosting Europe's defence industrial sectors and their self-sufficiency, which is crucial in a time of crisis when international supplies may be extremely difficult. According to Mr Kaliňák, the EU's defence industry should be developed so as to completely cover all the capabilities and supplies we need. “From the EU’s perspective, the SVK defence industry has some interesting capacities. European support for our defence industry may contribute to the creation of an adequate number of jobs and to a rise in salaries with a positive impact on our economy. The rules for getting such support, especially in the case of small and medium-sized arms manufacturers, should be clearly established. Building and increasing defence industrial self-sufficiency should be the key criterion in this respect,” the head of the SVK MOD concluded.